Global law firm Ashurst announces the hire of cyber security expert Rachael Falk and insurance and licensing expert Kathleen Conner as partners in its Risk Advisory division. The hires are part of a plan to grow the firm's offerings in cyber security, insurance and prudential licensing amid rapid regulatory change that is driving client demand for integrated legal and risk advice.
The twin announcements come after regulatory policy and risk management expert Tom Lodder was appointed to lead the firm's UK Risk Advisory practice. Established in 2020, Ashurst Risk Advisory is one of the fastest-growing divisions of the firm, posting revenue growth of close to 50 per cent globally year on year. The division now has 23 partners globally (19 in Australia, 3 in the UK and 1 in the Middle East). Risk Advisory teams work closely with Ashurst's lawyers to offer integrated advice to help clients address legal issues and operationalise risk management.
Rachael Falk
Rachael is one of Australia’s foremost cyber security experts and commentators.
In her most recent position as Chief Executive Officer of the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre, Rachael played a central role in collaboration between government, industry and research institutions aimed at lifting Australia’s cyber security capability. She has been at the forefront of the response to recent major cyber security incidents, including leading the Independent Review of the Australian Government's response to two of the country's largest cyber incidents which resulted in the introduction of a raft of legislative changes including Australia's new Cyber Security Act. She was also the co-author, together with Ashurst Risk Advisory partner John Macpherson, of the Australian Institute of Company Directors' comprehensive Governing Through a Cyber Crisis Guidance.
A former technology and litigation lawyer, Rachael was Telstra’s first General Manager of Cyber Influence and spent 15 years in in-house roles and at top-tier firms in Australia and the UK. Her appointment is a return to Ashurst, having previously worked as a lawyer at what was then Blake Dawson Waldron.
Ashurst advises clients on both legal and risk issues related to high profile and significant cyber incidents, cyber regulation and governance, post incident investigations and disputes. Rachael's appointment will add further strength to the firm's highly regarded cyber security offering.
Kathleen Conner
Kathleen is a risk and regulation expert with 25 years' experience advising insurance, financial services and gaming businesses in Australia and the UK. She is a former regulator and has extensive experience helping clients obtain and maintain regulatory licenses, navigate regulatory change and respond to enforcement action. She advises clients on regulatory compliance, risk management, governance, conduct and risk culture. Kathleen joins Ashurst from KPMG where she was a partner in the Governance Risk and Compliance practice and led the Licensing team.
Her arrival will further deepen Ashurst's ability to offer end-to-end legal, risk and regulatory support to financial services clients, with the extended ability to offer combined legal, regulatory and operational licensing advice for new market entrants. Kathleen also supports clients with regulatory enforcement related risk and compliance needs, which is an area of strong client demand.
Philip Hardy, Head of Ashurst Risk Advisory, Australia, said:
"We are delighted to welcome Rachael and Kathleen to Ashurst. As leaders in the fields of cyber security, insurance and prudential licensing, Rachael and Kathleen will add bench strength to Ashurst's offering to clients. Their arrival is a sign of the consistent growth in client demand for integrated legal, NewLaw and risk advice and an endorsement of the strength of the Ashurst Risk Advisory model."
Rachael said:
"Cyber security is one of the most significant risks that organisations face today and is at the top of the agenda for many corporate boards. The fast pace of technological change, rapidly evolving threats and a complex regulatory landscape mean that businesses need sophisticated and actionable advice to ensure their organisations are resilient and prepared for increased regulatory scrutiny. Ashurst has a renowned cyber security practice which offers clients a compelling combination of legal and risk advice. I am excited to be rejoining Ashurst, where I spent early years of my career, and to help clients as we grow this practice."
Kathleen said:
"I am thrilled to join Ashurst and the opportunity to help grow the firm's strong offering to financial services and gaming clients. It makes sense to bring together an integrated view on legal and risk, to not only ensure compliance and respond to regulatory action, but to ensure effective implementation and operation of frameworks and processes. Ashurst's integrated offering provides the perfect platform for me to develop my practice and to support my clients as they face into the evolving regulatory environment."